PERTH TOWN, Trelawny:

RESIDENTS OF Perth Town in Trelawny blocked the main road to protest the lack of water.

The road which was blocked is also the main road leading to Sherwood Content, the community of Usain Bolt.

Approximately one mile of the stretch was blocked with huge trees used to effect the blockade in about eight places.

The police had to use heavy-duty equipment to clear the road.

While the protesters were claiming coincidence, the blockade was staged not long before Bolt was to run in the final of the 200 metres at the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, Germany.

So, of course, residents of Sherwood Content were afforded maximum coverage, since the media was expected to descend on the athlete's birthplace via Perth Town.

Resident Peter Henry said that the community has not had water for five months. Councillor for the area, Philip Service, said, "I do not support roadblocks, but I understand the frustration of the people, and the explanation given by the National Water Commission (NWC) is frivolous.

"They told me at one time that they had no vehicle to take the gas oil to the pump, another time it was no gas oil."

According to Service, nothing was wrong with the pump, tank or pipe, therefore, the people should get water.

During the roadblock, water came back to the community, making the protesters even more irate.

The NWC could not be reached for a comment.